{"id":106663,"date":"2018-01-26T10:04:48","date_gmt":"2018-01-26T01:04:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?post_type=event&p=106663&lang=en"},"modified":"2018-01-26T10:05:46","modified_gmt":"2018-01-26T01:05:46","slug":"february-hanagata-kabuki-at-hakataza","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/event\/february-hanagata-kabuki-at-hakataza\/","title":{"rendered":"February Hanagata Kabuki at Hakataza 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Young, leading actors from the world of kabuki<\/em>, such as of Kankuro Nakamura, Shichinosuke Nakamura, and Matsuya Onoe will appear at Hakataza Theater this February. A strong supporting cast featuring Senjaku Nakamura, Monnosuke Ichikawa, and Kamezo Kataoka complete a stunning line-up. The matinee shows include performances of Iso Ijinkan, which focuses on the final years of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Kagoshima, and Tsuruya Namboku\u2019s Osome no Nanayaku, a classic play that sees one actor playing the role of seven characters. The Tokaiya, Funayagura, and Daimotsu scenes from the epic play Yoshitsune Senbon Sakura, a story that explores the Genji and Heike clans\u2019 struggle for power, will be performed in the evening. Yukio Mishima\u2019s comic tale of a sardine seller\u2019s romantic relationship with an upper-class courtesan, Iwashiuri Koi no Hikiami, will also be staged during the evening session. With the arrival of spring just around the corner, now is a great time to enjoy fabulous kabuki<\/em> productions at the Hakataza Theater! <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u2022 2\/2 (Fri.) ~ 2\/25 (Sun.)
\n\u2022 Matinee: 11:00~, Evening: 16:00~
\n\u2022 Tickets: \u00a55,000~\u00a515,000 (incl. tax)
\n\u2022 Hakataza Theater
\n\u2022 2-1 Shimokawabata-machi, Hakata-ku<\/a>
\n\u2022 092-263-5555 (Hakataza Ticket Reservation Office, 10:00~18:00)
\n\u2022 Buy online<\/a>
\n\u2022 http:\/\/www.hakataza.co.jp\/lineup\/h30-2\/<\/a> <\/p>\n

Enjoy kabuki with discounted tickets exclusively for foreigners!<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Yokoso Japan Ticket
\n\u2022 \u00a57,000
\n\u2022 2nd floor reserved seats
\n\u2022 Only sold at these locations: 1. Tourist Information Centers: Fukuoka Tourist Information (Tenjin), Kyushu Tourist Information Center Fukuoka (Tenjin JTB), Suito Fukuoka (Imaizumi), Canal Tourist Lounge (Canal City Hakata) \/ 2. Hakataza Theater Partnership Hotels: Hotel Okura Fukuoka, JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Hakata Chuo, Nishitetsu Grand Hotel, Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel, Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk (tour desk), WeBase Hakata, Japanese Ryokan Kashima Honkan, others<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

For the convenience of people who cannot read Japanese, we are posting information and synopses of the upcoming performances. <\/em><\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Matinee No. 1
\nIso Ijinkan (\u78ef\u7570\u4eba\u9928) – The Foreign Settlement in Satsuma<\/strong>
\nby Ibusuki Daij\u014d (\u6307\u5bbf\u5927\u57ce)
\nTwo Acts, Six Scenes<\/p>\n

Cast<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Okano Seinosuke (\u5ca1\u91ce\u7cbe\u4e4b\u4ecb) played by Nakamura Hashinosuke (\u4e2d\u6751\u6a4b\u4e4b\u52a9)
\n\u2022 Godai Saisuke (\u4e94\u4ee3\u624d\u52a9) played by Onoe Matsuya (\u5c3e\u4e0a\u677e\u4e5f)
\n\u2022 Ruri (\u7460\u7483) played by Nakamura Kotaro (\u4e2d\u6751\u5150\u592a\u90ce)
\n\u2022 Okano Sh\u016bzaburo (\u5ca1\u91ce\u5468\u4e09\u90ce) played by Nakamura Fukunosuke (\u4e2d\u6751\u798f\u4e4b\u52a9)
\n\u2022 Kayo (\u52a0\u4ee3) played by Nakamura Tsurumatsu (\u4e2d\u6751\u9db4\u677e)
\n\u2022 Harrison played by Kataoka Kamezo (\u7247\u5ca1\u4e80\u8535)
\n\u2022 Matsuoka Judayu (\u677e\u5ca1\u5341\u592a\u592b) played by Ichikawa Monnosuke (\u5e02\u5ddd\u9580\u4e4b\u52a9)<\/p>\n

Background and story<\/strong><\/p>\n

This play by Ibusuki Daij\u014d (1920-2005) was written in 1968, a winning work for the playbook contest commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration, and first performed in 1987. The author is from Kagoshima Prefecture and he was an elementary school teacher and a writer.<\/p>\n

The daimyo<\/em>\u2019s procession of the Satsuma Province under Shimazu Hisamitsu was on its way from Edo (the old name for Tokyo) to Kyoto, when some British people rode across it at Namamugi in 1862. It was customary in the Edo Period in Japan for those who come across a daimyo<\/em>\u2019s procession to get off their horses beside the road and give their way to the procession. The British did not follow this custom, for they did not know it, and one of them was cut down by the warriors attending the procession. This incident developed to the war between Satsuma and Britain, and Satsuma was defeated. In history, the Satsuma Domain reported falsely to the shogunate that the foot soldier who killed the British has run away. In this work, this foot soldier Okano Shinsuke, the father of Seinosuke and Sh\u016bzabur\u014d, is ordered to commit ritual suicide to bear the blame for the incident.<\/p>\n

Shimazu Nariakira, the 11th lord of the Satsuma Domain, began the Sh\u016bseikan project: he built the first modern factories in Asia in Iso area of Kagoshima City to encourage new industry and make the country rich and strong. This project was promoted further after the war. Cotton was spun, ships were built, gunpowder, iron, farming tools, swords, glass, ceramic ware and so on were manufactured there. Ijinkan in the title is the office-cum-settlement of foreign engineers. Satsuma Kiriko-cut glass is one of the products of this project and the protagonist of this work, Okano Seinosuke, is a glazier.<\/p>\n

The story begins in the evening on an early summer day, a few years before the Meiji Restoration. Orita Kingo, the son of the commissioner of buildings in Satsuma Domain, enters Ijinkan with his friends without permission. Kayo, the daughter of Matsuoka J\u016bday\u016b who is the president of Sh\u016bseikan, and Ruri appear there. Ruri, the princess of Ry\u016bky\u016b (Okinawa), was taken by Satsuma Domain as hostage and lives as a foster daughter of Matsuoka J\u016bday\u016b. Kingo and his friends tease Ruri, calling her foreigner\u2019s concubine. Okano Sh\u016bzaburo, the guard of Sh\u016bseikan, blames them for entering without permission, but Kingo provokes Sh\u016bzaburo, sheltering himself under the influence of his father, and fight with swords ensues. Sh\u016bzaburo\u2019s brother, Seinosuke, tries to stop the fight and a British engineer, Harrison, smooths over the quarrel.<\/p>\n

Sh\u016bzabur\u014d is angry at his brother, thinking he is a weakling, but Seinosuke admonishes him not to forget their father having committed ritual suicide by disembowelment, bearing blame for killing a British. Seinosuke dreams of making Satsuma Kiriko-cut glass, as red as the flame of erupting Mt. Sakurajima. Godai Saisuke comes to inform them that Satsuma Domain will participate in the World Exposition in Paris and exhibit Satsuma Kiriko-cut glass. Seinosuke hopes his dream may come true.<\/p>\n

A few days later, Matsuoka J\u016bday\u016b summons Seinosuke and Saisuke and reprimands both Sh\u016bzabur\u014d and Kingo. But Orita Y\u014dz\u014d is opposed to it, screening his son Kingo from them. Harrison fears hot-blooded Sh\u016bzabur\u014d whose father killed a British, and demands to fire him. J\u016bday\u016b has no choice but to accept their demands, for spinning machines are being installed and he fears to anger them who have charge of that. Seinosuke is angry at this and Saisuke calms him down, telling him his plan to take him along to the Paris Expo and send him further to Venice or Bohemia to improve his skill as a glazier. Seinosuke is glad to hear this. Though Ruri and Seinosuke love each other, Harrison loves Ruri passionately and got permission to marry Ruri from the chief retainer of the Satsuma Domain. Sh\u016bzabur\u014d fights again with Kingo who assumed the guard of Sh\u016bseikan after Sh\u016bzabur\u014d and Kingo gets injured. Seinosuke is heartbroken as Ruri decided to marry Harrison, but manages to complete red Satsuma Kiriko-cut glass in his glass atelier. Ruri encourages him and he decides to go to Paris. Saisuke comes with Sh\u016bzabur\u014d who is pursued and assures him of Sh\u016bzabur\u014d\u2019s safety in his absence. Orita Y\u014dz\u014d and Kingo appear then and they cut at Sh\u016bzabur\u014d. Seinosuke slays Kingo as he tries to cover Sh\u016bzabur\u014d. Sh\u016bzabur\u014d kills Y\u014dz\u014d with his sword trying to save Seinosuke. Seinosuke asks Saisuke to take Sh\u016bzabur\u014d to Paris instead of himself. Seinosuke declares that he has killed Orita Y\u014dz\u014d and Kingo, and commits ritual suicide by disembowelment as he hears the whistle of the ship, set sail for Paris.<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Matinee No. 2
\nOsome no Nanayaku (\u304a\u67d3\u306e\u4e03\u5f79)<\/strong>
\nby Tsuruya Nanboku (\u56db\u4ee3\u76ee\u9db4\u5c4b\u5357\u5317)<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

In 1710, Some, the daughter of an oil merchant, and his apprentice, Hisamatsu (\u4e45\u677e), committed a double suicide in Osaka that was a sensation and made into several plays. This play Osome Hisamatsu Ukuno no Yomiuri (\u65bc\u67d3\u4e45\u677e\u8272\u8aad\u8ca9), alias Osome no Nanayaku (\u304a\u67d3\u306e\u4e03\u5f79), is one of them. It was written by a great playwright Tsuruya Nanboku IV (\u56db\u4ee3\u76ee\u9db4\u5c4b\u5357\u5317)(1755-1829) and first performed in 1813. The scenes of the play were set in Edo (the old name for Tokyo) and this play is famous, for an actor plays seven roles including many quick changes.<\/p>\n

Cast
\n(played by Nakamura Shichinosuke)<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Osome (\u304a\u67d3), the daughter of a pawnbroker\u3000
\n\u2022 Hisamatsu (\u4e45\u677e), an apprentice of Osome\u2019s pawnshop\u3000
\n\u2022 Omitsu (\u304a\u5149), Hisamatsu\u2019s fianc\u00e9e\u3000
\n\u2022 Teisho (\u5f8c\u5bb6\u8c9e\u660c), Osome\u2019s mother-in-law\u3000\u3000
\n\u2022 Takekawa (\u7af9\u5ddd), Hisamatsu\u2019s sister and a lady-in-waiting\u3000
\n\u2022 Koito (\u5c0f\u7cf8), a geisha\u3000
\n\u2022 Dote no Oroku (\u571f\u624b\u306e\u304a\u516d), a snake charmer <\/p>\n

\u2022 Kimon no Kihe played by Nakamura Kankuro\u3000
\n\u2022 Chokichi, a boatman played by Onoe Matsuya
\n\u2022 Tasaburo, Osome\u2019s brother played by Bando Shingo
\n\u2022 Osaku, a female monkey trainer
\n\u2022 Okatsu, a female servant played by Nakamura Tsurumatsu
\n\u2022 Iosaki Kyusaku played by Kataoka Kamezo
\n\u2022 Yamagaya Seibe played by Nakamura Senjaku<\/p>\n

Story and Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n

Narita Daizen (\u6210\u7530\u5927\u81b3) is the eldest son of the last head of the Chiba clan (\u5343\u8449\u5bb6), the lord of the Kazusa Province (\u4e0a\u7dcf\u306e\u56fd), but he is born from a concubine, so his younger brother Taneyasu (\u80e4\u5eb7) born from the lawful wife succeeded the head and he is a retainer. He resents that and plans to exclude Taneyasu\u2019s loyal retainer, Ishizu Kyunoshin (\u77f3\u6d25\u4e45\u4e4b\u9032), and take over the clan. Taneyasu\u2019s sister, Princess Senju (\u5343\u5bff\u59eb), is to marry the shogun<\/em>\u2019s son and set out for Kamakura (\u938c\u5009), so the Chiba clan (\u5343\u8449\u5bb6) decides to pray for the safety of her journey and her bridegroom\u2019s long-lasting good luck in battle and to dedicate the heirloom sword Gooyoshimitsu (\u5348\u738b\u5409\u5149) and its certificate to Kasama Temple (\u7b20\u9593\u5bfa). Kyunoshin (\u4e45\u4e4b\u9032) is in charge of that. Suzuki Yachuta (\u9234\u6728\u5f25\u5fe0\u592a) who sides with Daizen (\u5927\u81b3) orders his servant Kihe (\u559c\u5175\u885b) to replace the sword with a false one.<\/p>\n

Princess Senju (\u5343\u5bff\u59eb) visits the temple in full bloom to attend the prayer, accompanied by her lady-in-waiting Takekawa (\u5965\u5973\u4e2d\u306e\u7af9\u5ddd) (5 by Nakamura Shichinosuke), Kyunoshin\u2019s daughter. They exit to rest until the ceremony starts. Kihe (\u559c\u5175\u885b) manages to replace the sword with a false one and steal its certificate. Yachuta (\u5f25\u5fe0\u592a) orders him to be in hiding for a while, and he elopes with Takekawa\u2019s (\u7af9\u5ddd) maid Oroku (\u304a\u516d) (7 by Shichinosuke).<\/p>\n

Daizen slays Kyunoshin feigning that Kyunoshin committed ritual suicide by disembowelment atoning for the loss of the heirloom sword. Kyunoshin\u2019s son Hisamatsu (\u4e45\u677e) (2 by —) finds his father\u2019s corpse. As he is about to leave there to report that to his elder sister Takekawa, Daizen, Yachuta, Kihe and Oroku appear and all grope in the dark.<\/p>\n

Osome (1 by —) visits Myoken Shrine (\u5999\u898b\u795e\u793e) with Hisamatsu (2 by —) but she goes astray. Takekawa (5 by —) appears and asks a maid servant Okatsu to deliver a letter to Oroku who lives in Koume. Hisamatsu\u2019s fianc\u00e9e, Omitsu (3 by —) , encounters a farmer Kyusaku at a teahouse. She feels uneasy having heard of the gossip about Osome and Hisamatsu whom she loves deeply. Kyusaku cheers her up and tells her to go home. A geisha Koito (6 by —) is in love with Osome\u2019s brother, Tasaburo, but he fears Yachuta might buy out her contract. He passes the certificate of a sword Gooyoshimitsu to Zenroku (\u756a\u982d\u5584\u516d), the head clerk of the pawnshop. Zenroku (\u5584\u516d) asked him to bring it out from his pawnshop to buy out Koito\u2019s contract. Zenroku plans to blame Tasaburo (\u591a\u4e09\u90ce) for the loss of the sword\u2019s certificate, drive him out of the pawnshop and take over the shop by marrying Osome. Zenroku hides the certificate in the straw wrapper of aster there. Kyusaku is going to leave there with it and Zenroku asks him to sell the aster. Kyusaku insists that he can\u2019t sell it, because he has already bought it, and a fight between Kyusaku and Kyusuke (\u624b\u4ee3\u4e45\u52a9), a clerk of the pawnshop, ensues. Yamagaya Seibe (\u5c71\u5bb6\u5c4b\u6e05\u5175\u885b) reconciles them by giving Kyusuke smart-money and a kimono, for he is injured in the forehead and his clothes are torn.<\/p>\n

Oroku (7 by —) reads a letter from Takekawa in which she asks her to raise 100 gold coins to get the sword Hisamatsu is searching. Oroku owers Takekawa a great deal, so she would like to grant her wish, but does not have enough money. She runs a laundry and a tobacco shop with her husband Kihe. Kyusaku visits the laundry shop, asks Oroku to mend the torn clothes and talks about the quarrel he had.<\/p>\n

Kihe disguises a dead body as Kyusaku in the torn clothes and they visit the pawnshop the next day to extort 100 gold coins, insisting that her brother died from the injury he had in the quarrel. Seibe insists that Kyusaku was not so seriously injured. In time Kyusaku himself visits Seibe to thank him for what he did the day before. The body turns out to be an apprentice of the pawnshop. He ate blowfish and steamed rice which disagreed with him and lay in suspended animation, but has become conscious. Oroku and Kihe fail thus in the extortion and leave the pawnshop. Kyusaku hands the certificate of the sword to Seibe.<\/p>\n

Hisamatsu (2 by —) is confined to the storehouse suspected of his relationship with Osome. Her mother-in-law, Teisho (4 by —) , asks her to marry Seibe. Osome (1 by —) and Hisamatsu (2 by —) promise to meet on the Sumida riverside to commit love suicides as they cannot marry in this life. Osome (1 by —) leaves the pawnshop in a palanquin. Hisamatsu (2 by —) slays Kihe and takes back the heirloom sword Gooyoshimitsu.<\/p>\n

He pursues the palanquin, but the palanquin bearers push him down and go further as Zenroku asked them to do so. He goes further after them. Omitsu (3 by —) comes distraught, having heard of the relationship between Osome and Hisamatsu. A boatman and female monkey trainer try to calm her down, but Omitsu goes after Hisamatsu. He overtakes Osome and…<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Evening Show No. 1
\nYoshitsuna Senbon Sakura (\u7fa9\u7d4c\u5343\u672c\u685c)<\/strong>
\nTokaiya (\u6e21\u6d77\u5c4b) \/ Daimotsu no Ura (\u5927\u7269\u6d66)
\nOne Act<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Cast<\/strong>
\n\u2022 Ginpei, a boatman – in reality, Taira no Tomomori played by Onoe Matsuya
\n\u2022 Minamoto no Yoshitsune played by Nakamura Shichinosuke
\n\u2022 Oryu, his wife, in reality the Lady Suke no Tsubone played by Nakamura Senjaku
\n\u2022 Sagami Goro\t played by Nakamura Kankuro
\n\u2022 Irie Tanzo played by Nakamura Hashinosuke
\n\u2022 Musashibo Benkei played by Kataoka Kamezo<\/p>\n

Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees (Yoshitsune Senbon Sakura) is one of the three most famous and popular plays in the kabuki<\/em> repertoire. The others are Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami and Kanadehon Ch\u016bshingura.<\/p>\n

These scenes, \u2019The Tokaiya Boathouse\u2019 and \u2018Daimotsu Bay\u2019, come from Act \u2161 of the long history play \u2018Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees\u2019, (Yoshitsune Senbon Sakura).<\/p>\n

Written for the puppet theatre (Ningyo Joruri) by Takeda Izumo, Miyoshi Shoraku and Namiki Senryu, the play was first performed in 1747,and was adapted as Kabuki the following year. The play as a whole is considered one of the three great masterpieces of both the Bunraku and Kabuki repertoires.<\/p>\n

The role of the main protagonist, Tomomori, is a very demanding one: he first appears as a humble boat captain who runs a ferry service across the bay, but later reveals himself to be a great Heike commander dressed in splendid white military garb. Meanwhile, the role of his wife also requires the portrayal of two contrasting role type, the first a typical sewa nyoubo<\/em> (\u2018domestic wife\u2019) whose fast-paced chatter called shaberi<\/em> is a particular highlight, and the second a dignified and high-ranking court lady. The heroic climax at the end of Daimotsu no Ura when Tomomori ties a great anchor rope around his waist and throws himself into the sea is one of Kabuki\u2019s most powerful and famous moments.<\/p>\n

It is the late 12th century, and Japan is racked by a civil war between the Genji clan and the Heike clan. The supreme commander of the Genji is Minamoto no Yoritomo who has established himself as the shogun<\/em> in Kamakura. Yoritomo\u2019s younger half-brother is Yoshitsune. After Yoshitsune\u2019s many military successes, and in particular, the Battle of Yashima where he won a great victory against the Heike clan, he has been honored by the influential retired emperor. Because of this, Yoritomo has become jealous and has turned against his own flesh and blood. In the play, Yoshitsune is a fugitive escaping from his brother\u2019s forces.<\/p>\n

Story and Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tokaiya \u2013 The Tokaiya Boathouse<\/strong>
\nAs this first scene begins, Yoshitsune is attempting to flee south to Kyushu. He and his men arrive at Daimotsu Bay and hire a boat from Tokaiya Ginpei, but bad weather delays them. As they wait, Sagami Goro comes to investigate Yoshitsune\u2019s whereabouts on behalf of the shogun<\/em> in Kamakura. Ginpei sends Goro away, and Yoshitsune is grateful. Finally, the weather improves and the boat departs with Yoshitsune and his group. It now turns out that Ginpei is, in reality, the Heike general Tomomori in disguise, his wife is actually Suke no Tsubone, a high-ranking court lady and wet nurse to the boy emperor, and their so-called \u2018daughter\u2019 is none other than the boy emperor Antoku himself. Tomomori is revealed in ghostly white and silver armour and announces that he and his men have been waiting for this chance to avenge the Heike clan\u2019s defeat. He intends to attack Yoshitsune at sea.<\/p>\n

Daimotsu no Ura \u2013 The Beach at Daimotsu Bay <\/strong>
\nBy the seashore Suke no Tsubone and the other ladies-in-waiting, dressed in their court robes, await the outcome of the battle between Tomomori and Yoshitsune. In fact, Yoshitune had already seen through Tomomori\u2019s disguise at the boathouse, and so Tomomori\u2019s surprise ambush has failed. Now the sea battle is lost, and some of the Heike ladies leap to their deaths in the ocean. Suke no Tsubone and the child emperor are prevented from following them by the arrival of Yoshitsune\u2019s men. She is captured. Wounded, Tomomori arrives back on shore to confront Yoshitsune. Antoku, the child emperor, says that today Yoshitsune has saved him and that Tomomori should not bear him any ill will. In the climax to this act, Tomomori decides to take his own life by tying a great anchor around his waist and casting it into the sea.<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Evening Show No. 2
\nIwashiuri Koi no Hikiami (\u9c2f\u58f2\u6200\u66f3\u7db2)<\/strong>
\nby Mishima Yukio
\nOne act, two scenes<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Cast<\/strong>
\n\u2022 The Sardine Seller, Sarugenji played by Nakamura Kankuro
\n\u2022 The Courtesan, Hotarubi played by Nakamura Shichinosuke
\n\u2022 Rokurozaemon played by Onoe Matsuya\u3000
\n\u2022 The Courtesan, Usugumo played by Bando Shingo
\n\u2022 The Courtesan, Harusame played by Nakamura Kotaro
\n\u2022 The Courtesan, Nishikigi played by Nakamura Tsurumatsu
\n\u2022 The Gardener played by Nakamura Hashinosuke
\n\u2022 The master of the house of pleasure played by Ichikawa Monnosuke
\n\u2022 Ebina Naamidabutsu (father of Sarugenji) played by Kataoka Kamezo <\/p>\n

Iwashiuri Koi no Hikiami, \u2018The Sardine Seller and the Net of Love\u2019, is the most popular Kabuki play by the famous novelist and playwright Mishima Yukio. Though first staged in 1954, it is a comedy that pays homage to much older Kabuki Styles, and in its subject, it borrows much from the popular story Sarugenji Soshi, \u2018The Tale of Genji the Monkey\u2019, written in 1474. As in the older narrative, our unlikely hero is a humble fishmonger, a seller of sardines, who takes on the guise of a feudal lord in order to gain access to a beautiful high-ranking courtesan. Through his quick wit and mastery of classical poetry he is able to transcend his lowly status and win the hand of the one he loves.<\/p>\n

Story and Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first scene is set by the foot of Gojo Bridge in Kyoto. A retired man by the name of Ebina Naamidabutsu comes across a young horse trader and both recognize each other as the father and friend of a sardine seller called Sarugenji. It seems that the latter is not doing well in business because he is in love with a beautiful woman and has no energy to think of anything but her, Sarugenji appears in person and when his father questions him as to the woman\u2019s identity, it turns out that she is a famous courtesan named Hotarubi. Though she would normally be far beyond the reach of a humble fishmonger, Ebina thinks up a plan to help out his son. He will disguise him as a feudal lord while both Ebina and the horse trader will act as Sarugenji\u2019s retainers.<\/p>\n

The next scene takes place inside the house of pleasure where Hotarubi works with other less sophisticated courtesans. She introduces them to a game of shell matching in which sea shells that have one part of a classical poem written on them must be matched up with others showing the concluding parts. Hotarubi\u2019s knowledge of classical poetry hints at her superior background. The other courtesans soon tire of this refined pursuit. Just then the master of the house enters to announce the imminent arrival of an important new customer, Lord Utsunomiya, who is Sarugenji in disguise. The ladies all retire to prepare themselves.<\/p>\n

At last, Lord Utsunomiya enters and is entertained by several of the women. He desires to meet only one, however, and after some time Hotarubi herself enters regally. After he is plied with sake, the ladies insist that he tell them some tale of warfare. Though any real feudal lord would naturally know such tales, this fishmonger in disguise proves very reluctant to comply. But with no choice, he begins a made-up story of battle, substituting the names of fish for those of human warriors. Performed to Takemoto accompaniment, this is one of the play\u2019s great highlights as the actor performs to great comic effect.<\/p>\n

Exhausted by his strenuous efforts, Utsunomiya falls fast asleep resting his head on Hotarubi\u2019s lap. The two are left alone. Then Utsunomiya begins talking in his sleep: he calls out \u201cSarugenji from Akogi Bay in the province of Ise\u2026 Come buy my sardines!\u201d Shocked at this apparent revelation of his identity, Hotarubi wakes him up and questions him closely on each part of his speech. Sarugenji answers convincingly because, since youth, this fishmonger has always had a passion for classical verse.<\/p>\n

At last, Hotarubi believes he really is a feudal lord, but then breaks down in tears. She has an admission to make: she is herself the high-born daughter of a lord who long ago fell in love with a passing sardine seller. She could only see his form from a distance, but she could never forget his voice as he called out his produce. Finally, Sarugenji realizes that it was indeed he who passed her castle and confesses his disguise. The two are happily united. (Due to last minute production changes, there may be some differences between events described in the program and the action on stage.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Young, leading actors from the world of kabuki<\/em>, such as of Kankuro Nakamura, Shichinosuke Nakamura, and Matsuya Onoe will appear at Hakataza Theater this February. A strong supporting cast featuring…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27918,"featured_media":106673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-106663","event","type-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","location-hakata","event-type-stage","en-US"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event\/106663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/event"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27918"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=106663"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/106673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=106663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=106663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}